This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #GoldPeakLattes #CollectiveBias
I don’t even need to look at the clock. I can tell when it’s 2:00 in the afternoon because it’s like all of the energy drains out of my body and I desperately want a nap. Since that’s not practical, I have to find something else to get me over that afternoon slump.
There are many benefits to yoga, including releasing stress and getting your energy up. I’ll share 5 yoga poses to get you over the afternoon slump, easy poses where most could be done in whatever you happen to be wearing. These are for all levels, so you don’t have to be super flexible to do these(I’m not- as you’ll see). If you have any health concerns or injuries, speak with your doctor before attempting something new like this. You can do all of these or pick and choose one or two, whatever you have time for.
Mountain Pose
It might look like you’re just standing, but it’s standing with purpose. Stand so your weight is evenly distributed on your feet. Tuck your tailbone, stand tall, with shoulders down and back. Your chin should be parallel to the floor. Rotate your arms so your palms are facing forward. Breathe in and out through your nose, holding pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Even just getting up on your feet can help you get rid of some of that slump.
Tree Pose
Shift your weight into your left foot and find a focal point to concentrate on(something that isn’t moving on the ground helps). Settle the bottom of your right foot down at your ankle, your calf, or your thigh (not the knee). If you’re balancing easily, you can raise your arms. For more of a challenge, lift your gaze as well. Repeat on your other side.
Chair Pose
Stand tall, with your weight evenly distributed on your feet. Bend your knees, sitting back, trying to get your thighs as parallel to the floor as you can, keeping your chest lifted. You can keep your hands at heart’s center, raise them out in front of you, or lift them overhead, depending on how much of a challenge you want. Hold pose for 30-60 seconds, continuing to breathe in and out of your nose.
Camel Pose
Kneel with your knees hip-distance apart, pressing your shins and feet into the floor. Rest your hands on the small of your back for support and lean back, dropping your head back if it’s comfortable or keeping it up if it’s not. If you easily go back, you can release the small of your back and take hold of your heels. That is not something my body does easily, so I keep my hands on my back, still getting the benefits from this gentle backbend.
Legs Up the Wall
Start sitting next to a wall, with your hip as close to the wall as you can get it. Swing your legs up the wall, walking them up if need be, and lie back. Relax your arms out to the side or rest them on your legs or stomach, whatever is most comfortable for you.
These yoga poses, even if I don’t do them all in one afternoon, do help me get over that afternoon slump. Though, if I need another pick-me-up, I can reach into the fridge for a Gold Peak® Tea Latte or Gold Peak Coffee. My favorite is the Gold Peak Vanilla Chai Tea Latte. It and Gold Peak Chai Tea Latte are both made with real sugar and real tea. If you tend to go for coffee instead, try Gold Peak Salted Caramel Coffee Drink or Gold Peak Almond Toffee Coffee Drink. These drinks are made with 100% Arabica beans, real cream and real sugar. They’re convenient, ready-to-drink, saving you from having to make a stop at a coffee shop since you can pick them up at Walmart (and maybe pick up a yoga mat, too!).